Page 18 of Learning Curves

Maybe she couldn’t truly call herself happy. Michelle wasn’t a happy person. She accepted and even appreciated that about herself, but she was so much more fulfilled than she had been even a month ago. And if drinking tea with Audrey was one of the highlights of her day, where was the harm in that?

“Earth to Michelle.”

“Hmm?” She blinked, realizing she’d completely zoned out of their conversation.

“Lost you there for a minute.” Audrey was smiling, head cocked to the side with a curious expression, as if she hoped Michelle would share where her thoughts had taken her.

No chance of that happening. “Sorry.”

“No need to apologize.” Audrey leaned back in her seat. “There’s a reason people in other parts of the world nap in the afternoon, right? Plus, it’s kind of warm in here today.”

It was, now that Audrey mentioned it. Maybe that could explain Michelle’s flushed cheeks. She preferred to blame the unseasonably warm day and un-air-conditioned building rather than acknowledge the way her heart raced every time Audrey looked at her.

“Any other ideas for the meeting?” Audrey asked.

“I like what we’ve got so far, and remember, we should consider it a win if they agree to consider even one of our ideas.” Michelle lifted her eyebrows for emphasis.

“Keep my expectations low,” Audrey said with a wry smile. “Okay.”

“Leave room for them to surprise you, or else you’ll be continually disappointed.”

“Solid advice. Hey, next time we do this, let’s sit outside. There are some nice benches and picnic tables around campus. Fall in Vermont is so gorgeous. We should be soaking it up.”

Michelle shrugged. “If you really want to experience fall in Vermont, don’t do it on this campus.”

“But the campus is gorgeous! Just look.” She gestured toward Michelle’s window.

Outside, the trees dotting the quad had turned bright red, and more foliage was visible on the hills in the distance.

Yes, the campus was picturesque ... but there were so many people.

So many buildings. It didn’t hold a candle to the view from her back porch.

“If you really want to enjoy the foliage, go for a drive through the Green Mountains. Or better yet, a hike.”

Audrey gave her an eager look. “Any recommendations? I went hiking a lot with my friends when I was a student here, but it’s been so long, I don’t remember any specifics.”

Michelle really should have seen that coming, but she couldn’t spend time with Audrey outside work, not without blurring important boundaries.

Besides, Michelle did most of her hiking on her own property.

Her house sat on forty acres of land, so she had everything she needed right at home.

“Any of the local hiking trails will be beautiful this time of year. Take your pick. Speaking of fall activities, though, the campus Pride Coalition is looking for volunteers to help plan their annual Halloween party.”

“Ooh, that sounds fun!” Audrey gave her another of those annoyingly irresistible smiles. “Are you volunteering?”

Michelle nodded. “I am, but we’re looking for one more faculty member, if possible.”

“In that case, count me in.”

On Thursday, Audrey again packed up a few minutes early for the Sustainability Committee meeting, although she didn’t think Michelle would try to sneak off without her this time. Since the last meeting, they’d become friends ... or at least Audrey thought so.

She crossed the hall and tapped on Michelle’s open door. Michelle was looking at something on her phone, the teacup Audrey made for her in her left hand. She seemed to use it every day, which made Audrey irrationally happy.

Michelle looked up. “I’m ready.”

“And the ladies’ room is available today,” Audrey said teasingly. “I checked on the way back from my last class.”

Michelle huffed as she stood. “Never living that down.”

“I like to think of it as the incident that started our friendship.”

There it was again, the little smile that made Audrey swoon every time she was on the receiving end of it. “An unusual start to a friendship, but I suppose I can’t complain about how it turned out.”

“I think there was a compliment in there somewhere ...”

“There was.” Michelle lifted her briefcase and slipped her laptop into it.

“I wasn’t expecting you to come to my rescue during that meeting, especially after the way I’d treated you since you joined the faculty.

I just kept putting my foot in my mouth every time I was around you.

The truth is ... I’m not very good with people. ”

Audrey froze, unsure how to respond to that unexpected bit of honesty.

Now more than ever, she wanted to know what happened to the enthusiastic woman Audrey had once known, but she wasn’t comfortable enough with Michelle yet to ask.

Instead, she lapsed back into the teasing banter that usually seemed to set Michelle at ease.

“It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone you’re a softy under that prickly exterior. ”

Michelle gave her a look that Audrey wasn’t sure how to interpret. “Not sure I’d define myself as either soft or prickly.”

“How would you define yourself, then?”

She exhaled. “I don’t know. Reserved?”

Interesting. The rest of the department assumed Michelle was being a bitch or a snob when she didn’t socialize with them, but what if she was actually just .

.. an introvert? And Brits were naturally more reserved than Americans.

Audrey felt her entire perception of Michelle shifting based on that one word. Reserved.

Not a bitch. Not a snob.

She smiled at Michelle. “I like that word for you. I like it a lot.”

Michelle gave her another look ... one that made Audrey’s heart beat out of control because it was so intense . In that moment, she would have given anything to know what Michelle was thinking.

“Shall we go make this campus a little bit more sustainable, then?” Michelle said finally, her gaze sliding from Audrey’s eyes downward in a way that made Audrey check her blouse to make sure she hadn’t spilled lunch on herself.

“Let’s do it.”

But first, they visited the ladies’ room so they’d be prepared for what was sure to be another long meeting.

As they walked outside, Audrey inhaled the fresh fall air.

Somehow it seemed so much more crisp here in Vermont than in the Boston suburbs.

She could smell earth and damp vegetation, scents she associated with fall as leaves started to cover the ground.

“I’m going for a foliage hike this weekend with Mercy and a few other professors. Want to join us?” She glanced at Michelle as she spoke.

Michelle pursed her lips, and for a moment she looked like she was going to say yes. She looked like she wanted to say yes. “I have plans.”

“All weekend? I didn’t even tell you when we’re going.”

“Yes, all weekend. I’m working on a research project that’s been monopolizing my spare time.”

“Oh, okay. Something interesting?”

Michelle glanced at her, and there was no mistaking the look in her eyes this time. It was excitement, like she was thrilled Audrey wanted to hear more about her research project. Audrey’s stomach tingled in anticipation of whatever Michelle was about to share.

“I’m writing about Eliza St. Claire, and truthfully, I’ve become a bit obsessed with the project.

This summer, while I was in the UK, I met with her great-grandson, Daniel.

He’s quite elderly now but so knowledgeable about her life.

We talked for hours, and he gave me access to her personal journals.

I got to see some of her unfinished works, things that aren’t readily available to the public, and they were . .. remarkable.”

“Wow.” Audrey gazed in wonder as Michelle’s entire demeanor shifted, passion and enthusiasm dripping from every word.

“After Eliza’s husband died a few years into their marriage, she lived the rest of her life with her ‘dear friend’ Ada Gillam.

Supposedly, they were out to their friends in the artist community, but not much has been written about their relationship, although Ada was the muse for the female figures in many of Eliza’s paintings, and she was quite honest about her feelings for Ada in her private journals.

Anyway, I can’t seem to stop writing about her. ”

“Color me fascinated,” Audrey said. She was fascinated.

She was also infatuated with the light that had come into Michelle’s eyes when she spoke about the project.

Audrey still hadn’t figured out why Michelle no longer lit up when she taught, but she loved every peek into the things that still got Michelle fired up.

“I’ve always been a fan of Eliza St. Claire, but I don’t know much about her life.

Are you writing an article for publication? ”

Here Michelle seemed to hesitate. “It’s ... well, I’m not sure what form it will take when I’m finished, but I do plan to see it published.”

“Amazing. Sounds like you might be writing a biography, and I for one would love to read it.”

Michelle darted another quick glance in her direction. “You would?”

“Whatever form it takes, I can’t wait to read it. You have a way with words. Ever since I was your student, I’ve kept up with the articles you’ve published. They’re always so intelligently written but also interesting. You really bring your subject to life with your words.”

“Oh.” Michelle’s cheeks had turned the most adorable shade of pink. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome, and now you’ve got me dying to know more about Eliza St. Claire, so if you ever need someone to look it over for you, I’m your girl.” Audrey gave her a playful wink, rewarded by another smile from Michelle. And maybe, just maybe, her cheeks were even pinker now.

“Perhaps,” Michelle said.

“Okay,” Audrey agreed. “And in the meantime, maybe you’ll entertain me with some of your research? Photos of the stuff you saw this summer? Because I’d love to see it.”

“Really?”

“Really. I’m a nerd for anything and everything about female artists.”

Michelle nodded. “I could talk forever on that topic.”

“I know, and I love that about you because I feel the same way.”